Inside your Matchday Programme: Derby County

Featuring a 2017/18 First Team squad poster plus exclusive interviews with Josh Clarke and Danis Salman, we take you inside BEES issue eight.

“The Rams have been consistent performers during the past few seasons and they are rightly up there with the favourites to gain promotion to the Premier League this term. Gary Rowett has a proven track record in this division and I’m sure that his side will provide us with a stern test”.

From the Dugout: Dean Smith on Derby County test.

“While we all have great memories of football under the floodlights, most clubs will tell you that these midweek games offer the greatest challenge in terms of attendance with both home and visiting supporters facing travel difficulties and work commitments”.

From the Boardroom: Mark Devlin on the challenges of the Championship schedule.

“The fans were delighted to see Tom Huddlestone return to the club where he started out. He’s a wonderful passer of the ball and he’s certainly caught the eye”.

Hot off the Press: with Chris Watson of The Derby Telegraph.

“I’ve matured a lot in that I can take some of the negatives and turn them into positives… I’m waiting for my chance to come and hopefully I can take it".

Right-Back in the Action: having played a starring role in September – and during last month’s record-breaking win at Loftus Road - BEES caught up with Josh Clarke ahead of the visit of The Rams.

“I got into the shower when everyone else went out for the second half and Frank McClintock followed me in and continued to berate me. He had a sheepskin coat on and it was getting soaked!”

First, Best, Worst: From facing Dalglish to dressing downs in the dressing room, we chat to legendary defender Danis Salman about his first, best and worst experiences at Griffin Park.

“It goes without saying that Griffin Park is the place to be, but for those disappointed to be missing out on a game of Liverpool bingo then take it for granted you’d have heard the following mentioned at some point: ‘the miracle of Istanbul’, ‘Stevie G’, ‘Bill Shankly’, ‘Bob Paisley’, ‘The Kop are like a 12th man’ (despite the game taking place abroad), ‘Those glory, glory European nights’ and a reference to Coutinho in the transfer window”.

Park Life: the latest musings from Nick Bruzon.

“The harder I tried, the worse it got. Nothing would go right for me. The ball would bounce off me. I would miss open goals. A simple five-yard pass became a real challenge. The crowd would boo longer and louder and I would go into my shell”.

“The transition from famous sports person to ‘civilian life’ leaves so many questions and doubts in players’ heads… If all you’ve ever been is a footballer or a cricketer, then what do you call yourself when you finish?”

The Last Word: Ben Burgess on the challenges of retirement.

For all this plus much more, pick up a copy of BEES this evening for just £3.50.